PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Freshman Aleksandr Pejovski (Fr.-Merrillville, Ind.) earned his ninth win of the season and Chad Cowart (Fr.-Antioch, Ill.) and Matt Crowley (So.-Omro, Wis.) added wins as the Lakeland University men's wrestling team lost a hotly contested 28-21 dual to Carthage College Friday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.

The Muskies fell against their fellow College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin foe but had their best showing in a dual this season, scoring their highest point total in seven duals. Lakeland's 21 points exceeded its previous season high of 18 scored a week ago against Concordia University Wisconsin.

Pejovski stepped up a weight class to 157 pounds and pinned Jayson Toellner in 2 minutes, 33 seconds. He continued to have success against CCIW competition, improving to 7-5 against conference wrestlers.

Cowart and Crowley also keyed a Muskies' rally late in the match with back-to-back wins at 184 lbs. and 197 lbs., respectively.

Cowart scored a 9-3 decision over Devin Rogers for his ninth victory of the season, second-best on the Lakeland team. A trio of takedowns in the second period put him in control as he also continued to perform well against conference wrestlers, improving to 6-5 against CCIW competition.

Crowley notched Lakeland's second pin of the night, taking down Sheldon Earnest in 4:48. Crowley also stepped up in weight class for the night, wrestling at 197 lbs. for the first time after competing at 174 all season.

The Muskies lost the overall dual after falling behind 15-0 early on. The Firebirds scored a pair of pins early, including a bonus late in the opening match. Loren Semler held a narrow 2-1 lead over Tristan Supernaw (Fr.-Kansas City, Mo.) in the final seconds before making a late move and getting a win by fall at 6:52 with just eight seconds left in their match at 125 lbs.

Jordan Haskins (Fr.-Lewisville, Texas) also competed in his first varsity match of the season and dropped an 8-4 decision to Sebastian Rosales at 133 lbs. Lakeland still trailed just 25-21 going into the final match in the heavyweight class, where Nidal Farah (Fr.-Ventura, Calif.) battled Mason Kochersperger to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation. The match went to extra time where Kochersperger finally scored on an escape for the 2-1 decision.

The Muskies are in action again Saturday for their final home event of the season. The Lakeland Duals will include Joliet Junior College and Bryant & Stratton College as visiting teams. The tourney schedule has changed as Ridgewater (Minn.) College is no longer traveling, so the duals will begin with Joliet J.C. against Bryant & Stratton at 10 a.m. Lakeland's first competition will come against Joliet J.C. at 11:30 a.m., and the Muskies will then face Bryant & Stratton at 1 p.m.

Carthage 28 Lakeland 21                                                                                        
125: Loren Semler (CC) over Tristan Supernaw (LU) (Fall 6:52)                             
133: Sebastian Rosales (CC) over Jordan Haskins (LU) (Dec. 8-4)                                         
141: Cole Nelson (CC) over J.J. Littles (LU) (Fall 3:36)                                             
149: Tyler Salvino (LU) wins by forfeit                                                                                  
157: Aleksandr Pejovski (LU) over Jayson Toellner (CC) (Fall 2:33)                        
165: Collin Ruiz (CC) wins by forfeit                                                         
174: Kobe Gilbert (CC) over Tyler Lovejoy (LU) (Major Dec. 8-0)                           
184: Chad Cowart (LU) over Devin Rogers (Dec. 9-3)                               
197: Matt Crowley (LU) over Sheldon Earnest (CC) (Fall 4:48)                
285: Mason Kochersperger (CC) over Nidal Farah (LU) (Dec. 2-1)